Airpower, Advice, and D.C. Favorites with David Deptula
From Airman's Pulse
David Deptula•Founding Dean, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Executive Summary
Air Force is facing a severe readiness crisis, described as the oldest, smallest, and least-flown in its history, with its combat capability at roughly 40% of its 1991 level.
The new National Security Strategy elevates homeland defense and the Western Hemisphere to a core strategic theater, requiring a significant shift in focus to counter Chinese strategic encroachment in the region.
Chronic underfunding and a 'divest more than we buy' procurement strategy have created a capacity deficit, leaving the Air Force unable to sustain major combat operations or conduct complex strikes on consecutive days.
The principles of 'effects-based operations,' successfully used in Desert Storm and demonstrated by Ukrainian ingenuity, are presented as a critical mindset for the U.S.
to 'fight smarter' against numerically superior adversaries.
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Concerns Raised
The U.S. Air Force is the oldest, smallest, and least ready in its history, with a combat capability just 40% of its 1991 peak.
Current defense budgets are insufficient, forcing a 'divest to invest' strategy that is shrinking the force and exacerbating the capacity crisis.
The Air Force lacks the capacity and readiness to conduct complex operations on consecutive days or sustain a major regional conflict.
China is successfully executing 'strategic encroachment' in the Western Hemisphere, a newly prioritized but under-resourced theater for the U.S.
Opportunities Identified
Adopting an 'effects-based' operational mindset can allow a smaller force to achieve strategic outcomes against larger adversaries.
Learning from Ukrainian ingenuity, particularly the use of low-cost drones and asymmetric tactics, can inform future U.S. operational concepts.
The clear strategic prioritization of homeland defense and the Western Hemisphere provides a new focus for force planning and development.